In NJ Senate Race, a Lopsided Campaign Ad Battle

New Jersey senator Bob Menendez is in a dog fight to win re-election. His Republican opponent, former pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin, trails Menendez by about 4 to 10 points, depending on the poll. But political operatives say there's one aspect of the race in which Hugin is ahead: the battle of campaign ads. 

One of the reasons is money. Hugin made a fortune as the CEO of Celgene and has spent almost as much as Menendez has raised, about $8 million. Most of the money in Hugin's campaign coffers has come from his own bank account — more than $15 million, according to the most recent Federal Elections Commission filings. 

The Hugin camp has had the airwaves since February, with most of the ads focusing on the Menendez corruption trial. And political operatives tell WNYC they've been expertly placed. For example, MSNBC fans, who skew Democratic, see Rachel Maddow talking about the indictment during the commercial breaks.

Menendez has responded by attacking Hugin for keeping a life-saving cancer drug out of the hands of generic companies while at Celgene — which has meant a single tablet can carry a $700 price tag. But privately, Democrats say the Menendez ads aren't as good.

In his latest attack ad Hugin plays fast and loose with the facts. The ad revives false allegations that Menendez had sex with underage prostitutes — a report pushed by right wing website The Daily Caller during the senator's last re-election campaign.

The women who accused Menendez ultimately confessed they were paid to lie. That hasn't stopped other Republicans, however, from spreading the story.

Republican congressman Leonard Lance and candidate Jay Webber have both chastised their Democratic opponents for not disavowing Menendez over the allegations.